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Eagles Trade Target? Lions RB D'Andre Swift a Georgia Product with Philly Ties

In search for a running back, could Philadelphia Eagles trade for Detroit Lions' D'Andre Swift and add yet another former Georgia Bulldog?

Tim Kelly

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Bijan Robinson was off the board before the Philadelphia Eagles had a chance to select him. And Jahmyr Gibbs -- selected by the Detroit Lions with the 12th overall pick -- was long gone by the time that Howie Roseman and the Eagles made their second pick of the night at No. 30. 

However, the Lions selecting Gibbs left many to wonder what the future of D'Andre Swift in Detroit is. General manager Brad Holmes -- who also signed David Montgomery this offseason -- didn't exactly sound committed to Swift when asked about him after the Gibbs pick.

“He’s still on our roster,” Holmes said Thursday night. “He’s still part of our team. He’s still under contract with us. He’s a dynamic football player. It hasn’t really changed the math there yet, but it’s early.”

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler also reported Friday that the Lions are receiving trade calls on Swift. You're left to wonder if Swift, a second-round pick in 2020, will still be on Detroit's roster at the end of the weekend. 

With Kenneth Gainwell, Rashaad Penny and Boston Scott, the Eagles don't need to be desperate to add another running back. But Miles Sanders -- who led the team with 259 carries in 2022 -- departed to sign with the Carolina Panthers in free agency. And for as much talent as Penny has, he's played in 15 total games over the past two seasons. 

Swift has fallen out favor in Detroit, but did average 5.5 yards per carry on 99 totes in 2022. He also has 156 receptions across three seasons with the Lions. He's certainly someone that's shown flashes of electricity, even if his tenure in Detroit has proven to be disappointing. 

What's more, Swift is a Philadelphia native, having starred at St. Joe's Prep before attending ... the University of Georgia. Over the past two years, the Eagles have used significant draft capital on former Bulldogs -- Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean in 2022, and Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith Thursday night. At this point, having played collegiality at Georgia appears to be a prerequisite for becoming an Eagle. 

In March of 2019, Roseman traded a sixth-round pick to the Chicago Bears to acquire Jordan Howard, a talented running back who was entering the final year of his rookie contract. Swift finds himself in a similar situation, also pushed out in part because of the presence of Montgomery. The guess here is the asking price for Swift will be higher, but if he can be had for a fourth or fifth-round pick, a homecoming might make sense. 

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Tim Kelly
TIM KELLY

Tim Kelly is a contributor to SI's NFL team sites. Additionally, Kelly covers the Philadelphia Phillies as the Editorial Director for PhilliesNation.com. Previously, Kelly has been a producer at SportsRadio 94 WIP and a content producer for Audacy Sports, with written content syndicated to WIP, WFAN, WEEI and some of the biggest sports radio stations in the country. Kelly also has contributed to Bleacher Report, Just Baseball, Sports Talk Philly and Section 215, FanSided's Philadelphia affiliate. Kelly is a 2018 graduate of Bloomsburg University, with a major in Mass Communications and a minor in political science. 

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